01Sri Baladeva
Krishna's elder brother, accompanying Jagannatha and Subhadra on one of the three chariots.
Their Lordships
Jagannatha — Lord of the Universe
The visual and spiritual heart of Ratha Yatra: Krishna, His elder brother and His sister leave the temple to be seen by everyone.
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02Srimati Subhadra
The sister of Krishna and Baladeva, inseparable from the Ratha Yatra procession.
03Sri Jagannatha
Krishna in His form as Jagannatha, “Lord of the universe,” meeting the public during the festival.
King Indradyumna and the appearance of the Deities
The supplied institutional document presents King Indradyumna as the king who desired to establish the worship of Krishna, Baladeva and Subhadra in Jagannatha Puri. It recounts that the Deities were carved under a condition of no interruption and that the king opened the door before the work was complete.
Nila Madhava and the king's search
The complementary history places the search for Nila Madhava, a form of the Lord worshiped in secret, before Jagannatha's manifestation. Indradyumna's longing to find Him leads the narrative toward Puri and the appearance of the wooden Deities.
Their distinctive forms
Their wide eyes, rounded faces and unconventional anatomical forms make Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra immediately recognizable. Their meaning is not reduced to an interrupted carving: the tradition preserves several accounts expressing the identity, mercy and spiritual emotion of Their forms.
Jagannatha Puri
Jagannatha Puri in India is home to the traditional great Ratha Yatra. The temple and chariot route form the historical setting that inspires celebrations around the world.
Their relationship with Ratha Yatra
During Ratha Yatra, the Deities ride on chariots to be seen by all. The procession transforms the streets into a place of kirtan, service and public encounter.